09/09/2026
🇵🇭🏅 FROM NABUA TO THE WORLD STAGE — PROUDLY CAMSUR! 🌎
Congratulations, Rodney Corbin P. Sarmiento of Nabua National High School!
From a public school classroom in Nabua, Camarines Sur to winning GOLD at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad in Turin, Italy — competing on the global stage against some of the brightest young minds from around the world.
What an achievement. What an inspiration. What a proud moment for CamSur and the Philippines! 🇵🇭
Rodney’s story sends a powerful message to every young Bicolano:
Your hometown does not limit your dreams.
Your school does not define how far you can go.
Your circumstances do not determine your future.
You can come from a small barangay, a faraway town, or a public school and still become WORLD-CLASS.
Dreaming BIG is free. So why dream small?
Dream bigger. Aim higher. Work harder. 🚀
There will always be challenges. There will be setbacks and failures along the way. But they should never be reasons to stop. Turn them into reasons to become stronger and keep moving forward.
Rodney has shown us that the journey can begin in Nabua and lead all the way to the global stage.
And his victory should inspire not only our students, but also all of us in public service — including me.
Achievements like this challenge us to work even harder to make sure that talent, intelligence and ambition are never wasted simply because a young person lacks opportunity or resources.
As Governor, I want every young person in CamSur to have the opportunity to DREAM BIG — and the education, technology, facilities and support to pursue those dreams.
Imagine how many more Rodneys are sitting inside our classrooms today — in Nabua, Caramoan, Del Gallego, Siruma, Presentacion, Balatan, or in the farthest barangays of CamSur — simply waiting for their opportunity.
We have to find them. Support them. Believe in them. And give them the chance to shine.
Rodney, you didn’t just win a gold medal.
You showed an entire generation what is possible. 🥇
From public school to the world stage.
From CamSur to the world. 🌎
If he can do it, YOU can do it. WE can do it.
Congratulations, Rodney! Your entire CamSur family is proud of you! 💙💚
Padagos! Dream BIG. Think BIG. Achieve BIG.
always 🙏
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FcC5DeiMa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Bicolano Student Wins Historic Gold at Earth Science Olympiad. From a public high school classroom in Camarines Sur to the snow-capped backdrop of the Italian Alps, Rodney Corbin P. Sarmiento has etched his name into Philippine academic history.
Sarmiento, a Grade 12 student from Nabua National High School (NNHS), captured the gold medal in the individual category at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO), held from August 20 to 27 in Turin, Italy. Competing against elite student-scientists from 40 nations, Sarmiento’s stellar performance stood out on the global stage. His achievement marks only the second time the Philippines has taken home an IESO gold medal, ending a 15-year drought since the country’s first top finish in Modena, Italy, back in 2011.
Sarmiento led a four-member Philippine contingent that delivered the nation’s best-ever showing at the international event since its inception in 2007. While Sarmiento claimed the lone individual gold for the country, his fellow delegates (Jia Ruth Lauren Condino of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus, Ethan James Cheng of Saint Jude Catholic School, and John Andrei Brecio of Philippine Science High School–Bicol Region Campus) each secured silver medals. Beyond his individual triumph, Sarmiento also snagged a silver medal in the International Team Field Investigation (ITFI), a collaborative contest where multinational teams conduct real-world geological fieldwork and present joint solutions to pressing environmental problems.
Guided by his mentor, Dr. Raquel Togores of the NNHS faculty, Sarmiento proved that world-class excellence isn't reserved for elite private institutions or specialized science academies. Sarmiento’s path to Italy was paved with relentless preparation. After topping the 10 national finalists at the Philippine Earth Science Olympiad (PESO), he advanced to the Earth Science Festival (ESF) in Tsukuba, Japan, earning a bronze medal and securing his spot on the national team.
Reflecting on the experience in a social media post, Sarmiento emphasized the human connections made along the journey:
"Participating in the IESO and meeting kind and intelligent people from all corners of the world, all against the backdrop of the beautiful Italian Alps, was an experience I will never forget."
Sarmiento’s victory serves as a testament to the power of public school mentorship, personal ambition, and raw talent, proving that big dreams can start in small towns and reach the very top of the world.
